We all know that it’s important for employees to be engaged at work. An engaged employee is more willing to problem-solve, innovate, and create new business. Disengaged employees, on the other hand, won’t show any of that initiative and might even actively undermine some of the efforts. So making sure your employees are engaged should be a priority in any company. After all, attitudes are contagious and any negativity can spread faster than a cold in a pre-school. Here are some ways to improve employee engagement in your company.
Use data
Using a survey, find out a little information about your team. Ask about motivation, preparedness, and how equipped and valued they feel. Survey your employees at least once a year. Only ask questions about criteria that you’re prepared to act on. Don’t ask your employees if they’d like to have catered lunches every day if that’s not something you can provide. Empower managers with the right information and tools so they can act on the information you collect in your survey.
Meet with your staff frequently 
Take as little as ten minutes a week to give your employees individual attention. Instead of automatically telling them everything they’re doing wrong, listen to what they say. Even if they’re not direct about it, they’re telling you what they need and what they want to be successful. Regular check-ins help you determine how everyone’s doing so you can be proactive when people start to get unhappy. You want your team to be focused, goal-driven
Start small
You can’t do a massive overhaul of company culture all at once. And if you aim directly for a cultural revolution, you’ll surely miss the mark. Instead you need to start small. Start by having daily conversations with your employees. Set goals, open the lines of communication, encourage, and reward. And set the right example—if you’re not engaged in your company, your employees will have trouble following suit. Remember that your employees are real people in the real world, and it’s your job to make sure they’re going home happy at the end of every workday.
Empower with the right tools
Your employees can’t be happy if you’re setting them up to fail. Make sure they have the right tools, training, and coaching so that they can be successful. Employees are your best assets, so make sure they’re taken care of.
Recognize and reward
Companies need to announce the meaning of their work—what are their priorities and how do individual employees contribute to that? Publicly acknowledge their efforts and achievements to make sure your employees feel appreciated and fulfilled. The happier they are the more engaged and motivated they can be.
For more tips on how to motivate your employees and keep your team engaged, check out our website at https://www.chiefofstaffkc.com.
Blog written by Erin Greenhalgh